Mrs. Wendy Mir is the General Music Teacher and Choral Director at Lincoln Avenue Elementary School who started with the Orange Public Schools in January of 2005. Mrs. Mir is a native of New Jersey who graduated from Clifton High School, and from an early age knew that music was to be her vocation. Directly after high school, Mrs. Mir attended one year at Montclair State College as a vocal performance major but soon realized the need for a more challenging environment. She transferred to Manhattan School of Music on scholarship, where she majored in vocal performance studying with the tenor Walter Blazer, graduating with a Bachelor of Music degree in opera performance. Although opera was the focus of her major, Mrs. Mir realized her abilities in other types of music gaining a reputation for lieder, oratorio, contemporary vocal ensembles, and had many doors open for her to perform showcases in night clubs in the NY/NJ area. It was during this time that she met the late William Hickey, and studied drama with him at Herbert Berghoff Studios on Bank Street, New York City. Mrs. Mir made her public debut at Alice Tully Hall singing the Brahms Alto Rhapsody under the baton of Warren Brown, and had made plans to study with the world famous mezzo Guilietta Simionato in Italy.

While raising her family, Mrs. Mir completed her post bac certification program, certifying her in elementary education and music K-12, and slowly began the merge into the life of teaching. While maintaining a vocal studio in her home, she substituted in various school districts for about five years, taught first grade for three years, and then computers for half a year at Brookdale Christian School where her children attended. When she saw the ad for Orange’s music position she gave notice, and the rest is history.

“I desire to expose children to unique musical experiences in my class, and to let them know that this class is a safe area to explore, to make mistakes, and to get out of their comfort zone. It is wonderful to see my choir members actually read their music, and know what to do and when. It’s wonderful to see them try to create what they are beginning to understand as a good choral sound. Slowly my kids are learning a new language, that of music.”

Mrs. Mir has been married since 1982 and has three sons. She still sings professionally working regularly at the First Presbyterian Church of Englewood, the Temple B’nai Jeshurun in Short Hills, and in performing concerts locally in New York and New Jersey. Mrs. Mir is presently working on her Masters in Educational Administration at Montclair State University.